Green Bay Phoenix women defeat Kansas State

The defense was the main contributing factor to the Phoenix. GB held K-State to just 31.1-percent shooting and 8.7-percent shooting from three. Green Bay didn’t shoot a whole lot better at 33.9-percent from the floor and 21.1-percent from three, but it proved to be enough.

The Phoenix (5-1) had two players score in double figures, led by Maddy Skorupski with 13. Meghan Schultz continues her breakout season, as she recorded the first double-double of the season for Green Bay, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, seven of which were defensive.

Belgium native Nastja Claessens scored 21 of the 44 Wildcats’ points on 9-of-18 shooting before getting injured in the final minute.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After trading the lead in the first quarter, Kansas State’s 8-6 deficit was erased by two Kamy Peppler threes to end the quarter to lift GB up 12-8 through one.

The second quarter saw a dry spell for both teams, as just nine shots were made between both teams. A Maddy Skorupski layup in the final seconds gave the Phoenix a 23-16 lead headed into the break.

The Wildcats kept chasing, not allowing Green Bay to pull ahead by more than eight points, but the Phoenix would hold the lead the rest of the game. A late three from Kristina Ouimette pushed GB up 45-40. However, the Wildcats got back within striking distance, finding themselves down 47-44 with the ball in the game’s remaining seconds. Kansas State’s tying shot by Izela Arenas was blocked by Schultz, who rebounded the block for her tenth board of the game. A last-second steal on the inbound gave Kansas State one last chance, but the heave from Jordan Speiser was left short, and the Phoenix got the win.

GAME NOTES
» Meghan Schultz is the first Phoenix to record a double-double since Natalie McNeal on 2/19/25 against Cleveland State.
» The Wildcats outrebounded the Phoenix 45-38.
» The Green Bay defense forced 16 turnovers, while also committing 16 of their own.
» This is the second time Green Bay has hosted a Big-12 team at the Kress, both wins over Kansas State.

UP NEXT
Green Bay is headed to Cancun, Mexico, to compete in the Cancun Challenge, starting with a face-off against #16 NC State on Thursday at 3 p.m. CST, and continuing on Friday against (RV) Richmond at 8 p.m. CST.